In the fierce matchup in the first round of the NBA playoffs G4, the Los Angeles Clippers narrowly defeated the Dallas Mavericks 116-111 on the road, successfully chasing the series to a 2-2 tie and dragging them into the crucial battle of Tianwang Mountain. In this crucial victory, Paul George's outstanding performance was undoubtedly an important factor in the Clippers' ability to have the last laugh, and the "boarding combination" formed by Harden was equally unstoppable.
George played 43 minutes in this game, shooting 11-of-19 from the field, 7-of-10 from three-point range, and 4-of-7 from the free-throw line, with 33 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals and 1 block. Not only did he show his firepower on the scoring end, but he also added intensity to the team's defense with four steals on the defensive end. George's all-round performance on both the offensive and defensive ends also made him a key man for the Clippers in this game, and Harden was not the only superstar who shone on the court.
It is worth mentioning that George's performance in the second half was particularly crucial, he played the full 24 minutes of the second half, scoring 7 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals on 2-of-5 shooting, including the key three points before the end. This three-point shot not only stabilized the situation for the Clippers, but also dealt a heavy blow to the opponent psychologically. If this high-difficulty three-pointer ends with a tie, the outcome of the game could have changed, and the fate of the Clippers could have changed.
In his post-game interview, Harden talked about his scoring streak at key moments in the final quarter, likening the game to a show, arguing that the players involved were all elite-caliber players. And George is the best of these elites, with the leadership temperament on the court and the decisiveness at critical moments, as if dreaming back to the top small forward time during the Thunder period. That season, George played the best performance of his career, and he was selected for the first team of the year, he is a superstar with great responsibility and ability, and he is not relentless when it comes to critical moments.
George had an efficient output in the regular season and showed his big heart in the playoffs. In the series against the Mavericks, George averaged more than 20 points per game and was key to the Clippers' ability to compete with their opponents.
As the series moves into the Battle of Kings Mountain, George's performance will be in the spotlight. In Kawhi Leonard's absence, George will need to take on more responsibility to provide consistent scoring and defense for the team. His play will have a direct impact on whether the Clippers can win the crucial fifth game at home, and whether the team will continue to maintain the suspense of the championship.
George's performance in G4 once again proved that he is still one of the top small forwards in the league, and his all-round skills and decisiveness in key moments have made him one of the most trusted players for the Clippers. After the explosion of G4, presumably George can also become more confident, and he will be more resolute on the offensive end, rather than hesitating; in the past, George was able to lead the Pacers to the top three of the Heat, and now even after ten years, he is still the fighter who does not fall easily.
As fans, we should also do it and cherish it, after all, George's peak is not much time.
Do you think George can continue to lead the Clippers to win the crucial battle of Kings Mountain?Why?Will he stay with the Clippers in the offseason?Leave your thoughts in the comments section and let's discuss George's performance in G4 and what he can expect in the future.